MoCo Police

A person of interest is in custody after a ‘Community Alert’ was put out at approximately 10:15 pm (and lifted at 11:45pm) on Tuesday night due to heavy police activity in the Rose Hill Falls community and surrounding streets in the area of Great Falls Road in Rockville. At the time, all residents were told they “should shelter in place immediately until further notice.” The community is located near Rockville Town Center.

Residents reported heavy police presence, closed roads, and a low flying helicopter with a search light on the scene after a Rockville resident called the police after for what was believed to be a person with a gun in their backyard at approximately 9:45pm.


MoCo Government

“As we celebrate Pride Month, it is an important time for us to celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ residents,” said County Executive Elrich. “At the same time, we must recognize that many LGBTQ+ residents continue to deal with discrimination, isolation, threats of violence and assaults on their freedoms. One of our County’s greatest attributes is our commitment to inclusion, fostered by the belief that everyone, no matter their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identification, can live their lives without the bigotry and hatred they may face elsewhere. Our diversity makes us stronger as a County and as a community. I encourage all residents to participate in Pride Month events, gatherings and educational opportunities that the County government and our community partners will be hosting throughout the month.”

Council Vice President Glass said: “I’m so proud to host Montgomery County’s fourth annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month events. This is a time for celebration, reflection and unity. Pride Month is often the first time that some people are able to be their open and true selves in our community. This is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the beautiful diversity of Montgomery County and our commitment to inclusion and acceptance. As we continue our struggle for greater civil rights and liberties, this is the time to reflect on our progress and focus on the work ahead.”


Gaithersburg

The OTC Bar & Grille in Olde Towne Gaithersburg has announced it is now hiring and will be opening this summer. OTC Bar & Grille is being opened by the owners of the Olde Towne Cafe at 226 E Diamond Ave, who have owned the business since 2000. It is located in the former Olde Towne Cafe restaurant space, as well as the adjacent space that was previously home to Diamond Drugs. Last year the owners knocked down the wall that separates the two locations to create the new restaurant/bar space.


Maryland

“This critical investment in public safety supports officers and law enforcement agencies by offering protection and increasing capacity to build trust in the communities they serve,” said Governor Hogan. “We will continue to provide this much-needed support through our Re-Fund The Police Initiative as we work together to make our communities safer and stronger.”

As part of the $24 million Accountability Resources Fund, the PACT grant supports law enforcement agencies across the state in developing effective accountability procedures while enhancing community relations and transparency. Funds are intended to increase safety and training for law enforcement, to promote safe communities, and to encourage engagement between law enforcement and the community.


Event

Historic Indigenous Recognition Event to Take Place in Montgomery County, Maryland

The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) proudly announces its upcoming signature public event,


Kensington

Nathan Henderson of Boy Scout Troop 439 recently completed his Eagle Scout project at Leonard D. Jackson Ken Gar Center in Kensington. The Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Nathan’s project included building and installing two benches, removing bushes, planting new bushes, and laying mulch. Thank you to Town of Kensington Public Works for pouring concrete bases for the benches. Nathan’s parents, John and Patti, were also present for the project. You can see photos of the project below.


Maryland

Investigators believe online predators may often give the impression they are romantically interested in the minor being targeted, to gain their trust. As the chats progress, the suspect user will request sexually illicit photographs of the minor, and might even send photographs back to the minor in return.

If a minor sends a sexually illicit photograph of themselves to the suspect account, the suspect user will proceed to demand the minor send them money, typically in the form of gift card and prepaid credit card numbers that are readily available at most stores. The suspect accounts advise that if money is not sent, the illicit photographs of the minor will be sent to family, friends, and posted online accompanied by distasteful comments about the minor. While not always, investigators have found that the suspect accounts typically originate from foreign countries which significantly limits the ability to formally identify a suspect.


MoCo Government

“Passing BEPS was critical toward meeting our Climate Action Plan goals of reducing 100 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2035,” said County Executive Elrich. “Our new Building Performance Improvement Board is important toward the implementation of this process. I encourage all residents who are eligible to please apply for this board.”

County Executive Elrich will appoint members to the board after July 31. Nominees must then be confirmed by the County Council. Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities and ages are encouraged to apply.


MoCo Government

The Gwendolyn Coffield Community Recreation Center is in the heart of the Rosemary Hills community within the 17.1-acre Rosemary Hills-Lyttonsville Local Park. The recreation center offers a variety of recreation programs and activities for all ages. The Parks grounds, managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, includes a softball field, a football/soccer field, two multi-use fields, four tennis courts, a playground, and a picnic area.

“The reopening makes it possible for the center to once again be a place for young people, families, and older adults to spend their leisure time,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We have been working behind the scenes to have a facility that where we can offer high-quality recreation programming for everyone.”


Education

The Montgomery County Board of Education today appointed Wootton principal Ms. Kimberly Boldon to the role of Consulting Principal, following 19 years at the school as an administrator and teacher, with the last seven as principal.

A letter was sent to the Wootton community providing information about the timeline and process for the selection of the new principal. The selection process will include an opportunity for staff and families to provide input. The full letter can be seen below.


Gaithersburg

BGR, which stands for “Burgers Grilled Right,” will close its Rio location permanently on Saturday, June 11th, according to a representative from the restaurant. BGR opened in Rio approximately 10 years ago at 229 Boardwalk Place, next to Muse Paint Bar, just outside of the building that contains the movie theater.

We were informed of the news by Montgomery County restaurateur, Wesley Yao, who was told of the upcoming closure when employees of the BGR location reached out seeking employment and informed him that they were notified Saturday will be the last day of operations for Rio’s BGR. The news was confirmed via phone call today.


Restaurants

Signage is up at Miss Toya’s at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Silver Spring, the former site of Eggspectation.  Eggspectation, a Montreal based breakfast restaurant with locations across the world, closed back in September 2020 after 15 years in that location. Miss Toya’s is a Cajun/Creole restaurant by local chef Jeffeary Miskiri. On Monday the restaurant posted on its Instagram page that they are now hiring and according to an Instagram story by Miskiri Hospitality, the restaurant will be opening in about 30 days.

Miskiri is the founder and owner of Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. The group’s restaurants include Creole on 14th and Po Boy Jim’s in DC, as well as Suga & Spice, listed as coming soon to Hyattsville. Miskiri told Source of the Spring last year that “Miss Toya’s is the sister restaurant to my full-service restaurant, Creole on 14th, the reason behind it being to expand on Creole and Cajun food” and  “The diversity and the body of language that that cuisine presents is so large that I knew that I could something similar, but totally different at the same time,” and that he’s “just really excited to bring that Cajun-Creole flair and twist to the neighborhood.”